ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #291 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ENUMERATE

Possible Answers:

List

Attract

Repel

Allow

Compel

Correct answer:

List

Explanation:

The Latin root -numer- means number, as in "numerous" which means a large number of something. So, to "enumerate" means to make a numbered list of something. Additionally, "repel" means force back, fight off; "compel" means force to do something.

Example Question #292 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DERIDE

Possible Answers:

Detain

Discuss

Impair

Kill

Mock

Correct answer:

Mock

Explanation:

The word "deride" comes from the Latin word for to laugh. Whenever we "ridicule" someone, we mock that person or "laugh at them." In a way, you can think of the expression "being a laughing stock." This means that someone is being ridiculed or derided. When we "deride" someone, we mock that person. Mockery is a mean way of "making fun of" someone. (Do you see that the word "deride" has a form similar to "ridicule"? Both words come from the Latin "ridere," meaning to laugh.) 

Example Question #293 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Brilliant

Increasing

Fading

Surprising

Dim

Correct answer:

Brilliant

Explanation:

The word "luminous" is related to the word "illuminate." They both come from Latin roots meaning light. Whenever we "illuminate" a room, we add light to it. Something that is "luminous" is shining or bright. The word "brilliant" is often used to mean very intelligent; however, this comes from the idea that such a person has a "very bright or shining mind." It is a bit metaphorical. The word "brilliant" means to shine, and this is a good synonym for "luminous."

Example Question #294 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DOCILE

Possible Answers:

Quiet

Forgetful

Regular

Intelligent

Submissive

Correct answer:

Submissive

Explanation:

The word "docile" comes from Latin roots meaning to teach. The words "doctor," "indoctrinate," "doctrine," and "document" all come from the same root. A "doctor" is someone who has been taught very thoroughly, and a "doctrine" is a teaching. Whenever a person is described as being "docile," he or she is teachable. Hence, the best option is "submissive." Someone who is "submissive" is someone who lets himself or herself be taught (or, at least, led) by someone else.

Example Question #295 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ILLITERATE

Possible Answers:

Ignorant

Remote

Irrational

Learning

Plain

Correct answer:

Ignorant

Explanation:

The word "illiterate" comes from the Latin word for letters. Whenever we talk about the "literal" meaning of something, we want to know "what the letters mean"—i.e. what it means without any additional interpretation. Whenever someone is "illiterate," he or she cannot read or communicate via written language. Thus, an illiterate person is generally an uneducated person. Thus, the word "ignorant" is sometimes a fine synonym for "illiterate."

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Roots

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ALIENATE

Possible Answers:

Forgive

Invade

Condemn

Isolate

Arrive

Correct answer:

Isolate

Explanation:

The words "alien" and "alienate" come from Latin roots meaning other. Whenever something is "alien," it is foreign to us—it is something "other" in the sense of being different. The verb form "alienate" describes the process of making something appear to be foreign or other. Thus, the only option that is adequate for this question is "isolate." Whenever we "alienate" people, we isolate them from each other.

Example Question #296 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

IMITATION

Possible Answers:

Dull

Occupation

Mockery

Display

Simulation

Correct answer:

Simulation

Explanation:

Whenever we "imitate" something else, we try to copy that thing. The word "imitate" comes from roots meaning image. Think of what we mean when we call a picture an "image." It is a kind of copy of something else. This is the general idea of being an "imitation." Another example that might be familiar to you is "imitation vanilla." Because vanilla can be expensive, some companies make a kind of vanilla by artificial processes. Thus, they make a kind of replica of vanilla or they attempt to simulate vanilla flavoring. The best option provided for this question is "simulation," which expresses this general idea of being a copy or an imitation.

Example Question #297 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VILIFY

Possible Answers:

Frighten

Defame

Concur

Attack

Infuriate

Correct answer:

Defame

Explanation:

The word "vilify" is made up of two stems with which you should be familiar. The first portion is related to "vile." Whenever something is "vile," it is very unpleasant. Sometimes, we use the word to describe something that is very disgusting. The suffix "-fy" means to do or to make. Thus, to "vilify" someone is to make that person appear to be disgusting or unpleasant. In general, the word is used to describe how we can ruin someone's appearance in public by saying bad things about them. Thus, the word "defame" is excellent, for it means to ruin someone's reputation.

Example Question #298 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

POMPOUS

Possible Answers:

Domineering

Famous

Engaging

Illustrious

Thorough

Correct answer:

Domineering

Explanation:

The word "pomp" is used to describe a kind of grand or large personality or external appearance that something might have. A "pompous" person expresses himself or herself in this kind of grand manner. Often, this kind of attitude is arrogant or "pushy." The word "domineering" is derived from the Latin word for master. A domineering person is someone who is forceful and acts like he or she is the master of other people. This word is related to the English word "dominion," meaning, "Area that is under a given person or country's rule."

Example Question #299 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DIGNIFIED

Possible Answers:

Hilarious

Imposing

Governmental

Extreme

Radical

Correct answer:

Imposing

Explanation:

Whenever something has great dignity—hence, is "dignified"—that thing is worthy of respect. Often, such things strike us as being very important and, hence, also show us how unimportant we are in comparison to that thing (or person). For this reason, the word "dignified" has "imposing" as an acceptable synonym. The word "imposing" comes from the combination of the prefix "im-" (a form of "in-"), which here means "on", with the base "-posing," which here means "to place." (The word "position" can be thought of as meaning "the placement.") Whenever something is "imposing", it can be said to place on us a sense of importance or grandeur.  Hence, this word is an acceptable synonym for "dignified."  A "dignified person" could well be called "an imposing person."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors